2
Canadian HR Reporter, a Thomson Reuters business 2018
Workers
reject D-J
Composites'
latest off er
GANDER, N.L. — Aerospace
workers in Gander, N.L., voted
97 per cent against the latest con-
tract offer from D-J Composites
on April 9, the American-based
employer that locked them out
of work 16 months ago.
"As workers, we have made
it clear from the beginning that
we are not prepared to turn over
control of our wages to the em-
ployer through a proposed pay
system that creates wage un-
certainty, and opens the door
to potential wage cuts on an
annual basis," said Iggy Oram,
Unifor, Local 597 unit chair. "In
addition, the company had made
clear they intend to lay off up to
a third of the workforce, but has
refused to identify who would
be laid off. It is ridiculous to ex-
pect a worker to cast a ballot not
knowing if you will have employ-
ment under the company's offer."
The employer's last offer
comes after the Newfoundland
and Labrador Labour Relations
Board found the company twice
guilty of breaking provincial la-
bour law, first in May 2017 and
again in March of this year, said
the union.
Based on the company's latest
proposal, members would not
know if they would be returning
to work; and if they did return to
work, there is no guarantee of
what job they would have; and if
they had a job to return to, their
wages could be reduced a year
after they return, according to
Unifor.
Port Arthur
Health Centre
workers strike
THUNDER BAY, Ont. — At
midnight on April 9, workers at
the Port Arthur Health Centre
— represented by Unifor, Local
229 — set up picket lines and
went on strike.
"The frustrating thing about
bargaining talks with this un-
reasonable employer is that the
employer is not arguing that they
do not have the ability to pay, but
rather that it's seeking to fill the
coffers," said Kari Jefford, presi-
dent of Unifor, Local 229.
The local represents 65 work-
ers at the centre, working as ap-
pointment secretaries, medical
aides and in medical records.
The collective agreement ex-
pired on Dec. 31, 2017. No prog-
ress has been made on key issues
of precarious work contracts or
insufficient compensation for
work, said the union .
Unionized
Tim Hortons
employees get
fi rst contract
SEPT-ÎLES, Que. — After
three years of trying, unionized
employees at four Tim Hortons
outlets in the community of
Sept-Îles, Que., are set to obtain
their first collective agreement.
"A long saga is ending and
we're looking forward to a new
relationship between employ-
ees and the employer that will be
based on respect, equity and ap-
propriate treatment," said Gilles
Ayotte, United Steelworkers
(USW) representative.
An arbitrator appointed by
the Quebec government will
hold a final round of hearings
next week with management
and workers' representatives.
The arbitrator will then im-
pose a first collective agreement,
within 90 days, said the union.
The hearings will be held April
9 to 11, said the union.
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LABOUR LENS
Members of German public sector workers union Verdi stage a strike at the airport in demand for higher
wages in Frankfurt on April 10. Signs read: "Today a warning strike" and "We are worth it."